1. Chapter 11
Robbery

2. Robbery
The felonious taking of another’s property, either directly from the person or in that person’s presence, through force or intimidation.

3. Profile of a Robber Male
Usually serial criminals who may commit robberies before being apprehended
Egotistical braggarts
Prone to boasting of their crimes

4. Characteristics of Robberies
Often committed with the use of stolen cars, plates, or both
Committed by two or more people working together
Offender lives within 100 miles of robbery
Youths tend to act in groups and use strong-arm tactics more frequently than adults

5. Characteristics of Robberies Continued
Less physical evidence present after the crime than in other violent crimes
Take much less time than other crimes
Middle-aged and older people tend to be victims
Robberies committed by a lone robber tend to involve lone victims and are often crimes of opportunity

6. Classification of Robberies
Residential
Home invader
Commercial
Bank
Street
Vehicle driver
Carjackings: the taking of a motor vehicle by force or threat of force

7. Residential Robberies
Hotel and motel rooms, garages, elevators, and private homes
Less frequent
Entrance is gained by knocking and then forcing entrance when the occupant appears
Early evening

8. Commercial Robberies
Convenience stores, loan companies, jewelry stores, liquor stores, gasoline or service stations, and bars
End of the week
Between 6 pm and 4 am
Stores with poor visibility from the street and few employees on duty
Committed by individuals with criminal records

9. Bank Robbery Federal and State offense U.S. Code Title 12, § 2113
Two basic methods
One-on-one robbery
Takeover
Committed by rank amateurs and habitual criminals.
Often act alone, but often have a getaway car and/or lookouts

10. Deterrents to Bank Robberies
Bait money: U.S. currency with recorded serial numbers placed at each teller position.
Dye pack: a bundle of currency containing a colored dye and tear gas.

11. ATM Robberies Usually occur at night in poorly lit area
Highest risk between midnight and 4 a.m.
Mostly committed by lone offender against a lone victim
Offender usually uses some type of weapon
Target: walk-up ATM’s

12. Responses to Reduce ATM Robberies
Ensuring adequate lighting at and around ATMs
Ensuring the landscaping around the ATMs allows for good visibility
Installing rearview mirrors on ATMs
Installing ATMs where there is a lot of natural surveillance
Installing ATMs in police stations

13. Responses to Reduce ATM Robberies Continued
Relocating, closing, or limiting the hours of operation of ATMs at high-risk sites
Providing ATM users with safety tips
Installing and monitoring surveillance cameras at and around ATMs
Installing devises to allow victims to summon police during a robbery

14. Street Robberies
Committed on public streets and sidewalks and in alleys and parking lots
Weapon involved
Both victim and robber are usually on foot
Speed and surprise
Little or no advance planning involved

15. Challenges in Investigating Robberies
Usually not reported until the offender leaves the scene
Difficult to obtain good descriptions or positive identification from victims
The items taken, usually currency, are difficult to identify

16. When Responding to a Robbery-in-progress Call
Proceed as rapidly as possible using extreme caution
Assume the robber is at the scene, unless otherwise advised
Be prepared for gunfire
Look for and immobilize any potential getaway vehicle you discover
Avoid a hostage situation if possible
Make an immediate arrest if the suspect is at the scene

17. Priorities in a Hostage Situation
Preserve life
Apprehend the hostage-taker
Recover or protect property
Stockholm Syndrome – occurs when hostages report they have no ill feelings toward the hostage takers and that they feared the police more than they feared their captor(s).

18. Investigation Immediately canvass the neighborhood
Check motels and hotels in the area
Look for discarded property
Check car rental agencies
Check airports, bus and train stations and taxi companies
Have a sketch of the suspect prepared and circulate it
Check known “fences”
Check M.O files
Check police field interview/contact forms

19. Important M.O. Information
Type of robbery
Time (day and hour)
Method of attack (real or threatened)
Weapon
Number of robbers
Voice and words
Vehicle used
Peculiarities
Object sought

20. Indicators of False Reports
Unusual delay in reporting the offense
Amount of the loss not fitting the victim’s apparent financial status
Lack of correspondence with the physical evidence
Improbable events
Exceptionally detailed or exceptionally vague description of the offender
Lack of cooperation